n. | 1. | (Rhet.) A particular stress of utterance, or force of voice, given in reading and speaking to one or more words whose signification the speaker intends to impress specially upon his audience. |
2. | A peculiar impressiveness of expression or weight of thought; vivid representation, enforcing assent; | |
3. | a special attention given to, or extra importance attached to, something; | |
4. | something to which great importance is attached; |
Noun | 1. | emphasis - special importance or significance; "the red light gave the central figure increased emphasis"; "the room was decorated in shades of gray with distinctive red accents" Synonyms: accent |
2. | emphasis - intensity or forcefulness of expression; "the vehemence of his denial"; "his emphasis on civil rights" Synonyms: vehemence | |
3. | emphasis - special and significant stress by means of position or repetition e.g. | |
4. | emphasis - the relative prominence of a syllable or musical note (especially with regard to stress or pitch); "he put the stress on the wrong syllable" |